Xenotoca
| Xenotoca | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Redtail splitfin, X. eiseni | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Family: | Goodeidae |
| Genus: | Xenotoca C. L. Hubbs & C. L. Turner, 1939 |
Xenotoca is a genus of fish within the goodeid family, Goodeidae. They belong to the subfamily Goodeinae. Like all members of this subfamily, they are livebearers. However, the goodeid method of mating is somewhat different from more common livebearers, such as guppies and swordtails. Rather than a gonopodium, goodeid males transmit sperm to the females using an andropodium, a notched anal fin which gives the fish the common name "splitfin".
All members of the genus Xenotoca live in the highlands of Mexico. While no goodeid is a very common aquarium fish, the Redtail Splitfin (X. eiseni), is one of the most common aquarium goodeids. Its bright colors - blue body and red tail - offset its reputation for nipping the fins of its tankmates.
Species
There are currently three recognized species in this genus: [1]
- Xenotoca eiseni (Rutter, 1896) (Redtail Splitfin, Redtail Goodeid)
- Xenotoca melanosoma Fitzsimons, 1972 (Black Splitfin)
- Xenotoca variata (T. H. Bean, 1887) (Jeweled Splitfin)
References
- ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2012). Species of Xenotoca in FishBase. August 2012 version.